SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A person diagnosed with tuberculosis could have exposed children and staff at a San Marcos preschool to the illness last month, the county of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency announced today.
It's the second such announcement in two days. Wednesday, the HHSA said some students and employees at UC San Diego might have been exposed.
The sickened individual in San Marcos was at Discovery Isle preschool, 308 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road, on March 11-12, according to the HHSA.
The agency reported that children and staff are being referred to their doctors to get tested.
``Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss,'' said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county public health officer. ``TB usually requires many hours of close, indoor contact to spread to others so most people who are exposed in classrooms do not get infected or develop the disease.''
The potential exposure period at UCSD was far longer, from last Nov. 2 to March 22, according to the HHSA. The agency said people who might have been exposed are being contacted.
Free testing will be held next Tuesday, and on April 23, at the campus health center.
Tuberculosis is treatable with medication.
Last year, 234 cases were reported to the HHSA. The total this year, so far, is 22 cases.
